Ideas to organize your storage room

Storage rooms are generally the place to put all those things that don't fit in your house and you don't used on a daily basis. The problem begins when you have too many things in there and you can’t go into the storage room; or when you want to get something but you can't find it due to the mess; or if you find it, you are afraid of moving it, because it might be holding other things.

The first piece of advice when trying to arrange your storage room is the following: if you haven't used the object for some time now, throw it or give it away. If the element is in good shape, you might give it away, but if it’s broken, just throw it, don’t keep it thinking you might fix it; you will not use it, or if you need it you will probably don’t remember where it is or you won’t know how to fix it, and you will end up buying a new one.

Once you have thrown all the unnecessary objects, it is time to start organizing your storage room. One idea that might be useful is that you keep things in boxes. Still, don’t put everything in boxes at random; since you are cleaning and organizing, do it right and in a useful way. The best way to keep things in order in the long run is to know what you have in each box, so you don’t have to open each box every time you need something. In order to do this, you may want to put all the objects according to the place they belong; for example, things that go in the kitchen; things that go in the living room, the bedroom, etc. etc. etc. The ideal thing is that you make a list of the things you might find in each box, and put a number to each box and the place of the house they belong. This way you can look for things easily. You check the list, see in which box it should be, and that’s it.

These ideas might seem a bit weird or that it might take too long to put things in order, but if you think about it, if you organize the storage room this way, and if you keep it like this, you will never have to organize it ever again. If you keep it organized and in order, you won't be touching and opening the boxes you don't need, so they will stay there, organized. Try it. Keeping your storage room organized is simpler than it sounds.

Ideas to decorate the balcony with plants

Nowadays, buildings have taken over the city and even though many of them have a common garden, we all like spending some time in a natural environment on our own, and rest.

For this reason, whether you have a big balcony or a small one, it is always nice to decorate it with plants and small elements that make your balcony look nice and you enjoy being there and spending your summer/spring afternoons.

Firstly, an idea to decorate a balcony is to do it with the plants and colors you like. Before start filling your balcony, you should think about the color you would like to have in it; which pots you want to use for the plants; the types of flower you like; etc. Moreover, you should bear in mind that most plants are seasonal, which means that you will not have them all year long. For this reason, you should consider having some perennial plants (which will be green all year long).

Those who have space on the wall of their balcony might be interested in putting a creeper plant, like the jasmine or the bougainvillea. Those who don’t have a wall on their balcony may put a plant that hangs from their balconies, to make it look bigger.

Those who enjoy having a minimalistic décor, or don't have much room and would like to keep it simple, may buy mini cactus or bonsai plants. This would add life to your balcony, it will look nice and it will let you move around it. You may also have space for a small table and a chair if you'd like.

If you want flowers and plants in your balcony but you don't have much space, you might consider putting your pots vertically. You may do this by hanging pots on the wall, or hanging them in the balcony rails. Nowadays there are also some metal structures (like bars), where you can hang your pots, so they don't take up too much space from your balcony, and still you have flowers and plants that give life to it.

There are thousands of ways and ideas to decorate your balcony with plants, it is a matter of choosing which plants you like, the pots you want, and just filling your balcony with plants and flowers. This way, your balcony will be full of life and color, and you may have a new place to relax and rest around the “wild” in the middle of the city.

 

Requirements for renting an apartment in the City of Buenos Aires

When it comes to renting an apartment in the City of Buenos Aires, you should have in mind that there are some requirements you need to comply with in order to do it. For this reason, we will now mention some steps to follow when you rent an apartment in the City of Buenos Aires. Still, you should know that some owners may ask you for other stuff too.

Firstly, every person that wants to rent an apartment must be of age (i.e., at least 18 years) and must have a valid ID or passport (its validity must last at least until the end of the contract).

Besides these two things, when it comes to renting an apartment in Buenos Aires, you will need to have a solvent warrantor. The warranty is something all owners ask for, since it works as a security of payment, should you not pay your rent. The warrantor generally signs the tenancy agreement as well as the tenant.

Another thing you need to have in mind in order to rent an apartment in Buenos Aires is that you will probably need to make a deposit. This deposit will be returned to you once the contract ends; nonetheless, the landlord will keep the deposit if you have some debt with him or if the apartment is not in the same conditions as it had been given when you moved in. Usually, the amount of the deposit equals a month of rent, or two, depending on the owner. If it is a furnished apartment, they could ask for a two-month’s deposit.

Moreover, if you want to rent an apartment in the City of Buenos Aires, you will have to prove you have sufficient incomes in order to pay each month.

In the City of Buenos Aires, the minimum term for signing a tenancy agreement is of 2 years (unless it is a temporary rental). After 6 months, the tenant may rescind the contract, and he/she should warn the landlord with 60 days in advance, and he/she will have to pay compensation.

In addition, when signing the tenancy contract, it is not compulsory to do it in front of a notary public; still, many people choose to do it, in order the notary checks that the law is being complied with and everything is in order. If you don’t want to have a notary when signing, it is advised that you verify that the landlord is actually the owner of the property, that the contract has all the covenants in order, that you understand everything, etc.

Last, you should make it a requirement to know your rights and duties, in order to defend yourself, should you have any problem.

How to get a credit to buy a house in Buenos Aires

Nowadays, the government of the city of Buenos Aires and the National Government are granting credits for people to buy a house. For this reason, many people have been looking for the requirements to apply in order to get the credit.

Even though each bank has its own requirements in order to grant a credit, we will now mention some key things that are quite similar in most cases. Nonetheless, remember to find out which particular things you need in each case and bank.

For starters, some banks have different minimums and maximums of age in order to apply for a credit, which can be for people over 18 or 21, up to the 65 years old approximately. The same happens with the minimum monthly income, which these days rounds the 2000 and 2500 Argentine Pesos, and you have the chance of summing your partner’s wage.

Moreover, each bank has a different a minimum amount of seniority at work.

In relation to the documentation you need to submit in order to apply for a credit, you will need: the Argentine ID (called DNI, LC or LE), a utility bill in your name, the CUIT or CUIL (identification number for workers), and according to your marital status, your marriage certificate, your divorce certificate, your certificate of cohabitation and/or birth certificate of your children, and a judicial sentence of separation.

In order to prove your working status, you may have to submit:

- If you are an employee: the last wage receipts (the amount of receipts depends on the bank), and an employment certificate done by the employer.

- If you are self-employed: professional registration, degree title, or municipal authorization, a certificate that proves the beginning of activity in the AFIP (institution in charge of taxes in Argentina), the affidavit of income, and its corresponding receipt of payment.

In relation to the property you want to acquire, you may need to submit some of the following documents:

- For already built houses: a photocopy of the title deed, and a receipt of the property or municipal tax that shows the “nomenclatura catastral" (identification of the house and its location). In case of apartments or horizontal properties, the cohabitation rules must be submitted as well.

- For houses to be built: the approved municipal planning.

As we have mentioned at the beginning, each bank will ask to submit different documents. Remember to keep all your documentation together and to make a copy of every document; Do not submit any original document, only a copy (still, you may have to show the originals, but do not submit those).

Buenos Aires’ neighborhoods with the best access to public transportation

The City of Buenos Aires has a great number of options when it comes to moving around the city. Even though there are some hours with too much traffic, and you may get some place in more or less time, public transport in Buenos Aires gets you anywhere.

Starting with the subways, the metros in Buenos Aires are not as long as in other cities of the world, but they do connect some neighborhoods of the city. Likewise, some trains are perfect for crossing the city from one side to the other in a few minutes. Nevertheless, the most importat way of moving in Buenos Aires which has the greatest amount of lines and routes is the bus (called "colectivos"). Buses move around the city, and they will take you anywhere, although if there's too much traffic, it could take you longer than going by train or subway.

The neighborhoods of the City of Buenos Aires which have the best access to the different means of transports are:

- Belgrano: The neighborhood of Belgrano has many means of transports, such as the line D of the metro in the Av. Santa Fe, which takes you to the downtown area, and it passes along Palermo, Tribunales, and other areas of the city. Moreover, there are a great number of buses that take you around the city and the outer areas of Buenos Aires. Also, the train communicates Belgrano with the neighborhood of Retiro, so you can be in the downtown area in a few minutes. The train lines are Belgrano Norte and Mitre.

- Palermo: Even though Palermo is big and there are some areas which are not as connected as other areas, if you walk some blocks you will find something that takes you around the city. The neighborhood of Palermo has the line D of the metro in Av. Santa Fe, and if you are closer to Av. Cordoba, you can walk towards Av. Corrientes and take the line B of the metro. Moreover, if you wish to go to the west-south areas of the city and province of Buenos Aires, you may take the train. The San Martin line also takes you north, to the neighborhood of Retiro. Of course, there are many buses that take you anywhere you want.

- Retiro: Retiro neighborhood is where the business area of Buenos Aires is, and many big companies have their offices there. There, you will find many train lines that end and start there, and they travel many places around the city and the province. Moreover, this is where the line C of the metro begins, which takes you to Constitución (to the southern area of the city), and connect you with other metro lines.

- Downtown area: In the downtown area of Buenos Aires (which is not the geographical center) is where many lines finish their routes, so you will be able to move around in these lines.

Caballito: The neighborhood of Caballito is a residential area, with many shops, and means of transport. In this neighborhood (located in the center area of Buenos Aires), you will find many buses lines, and the metro line C, which take you to the downtown area.

These are the main neighborhoods which offer a great variety of means of transport to move around the city.

Things to consider when buying an air conditioner

Due to the extreme weather changes that we are having, the air conditioner has become really popular these days. Whether because it is too cold or too hot, the air conditioner, as its name shows, “conditions” the rooms at the temperature we like.

For those who are considering buying an air- conditioner, we will now mention some things to have in mind when looking for the perfect air-conditioner for you.

Firstly, you should see what type of air conditioner you need/want in your house/office/etc., since there are many types of air-conditioners: split, compact, portable, central, etc. The type of air-conditioner you need will depend on the size of the room you want to refrigerate and the use (more or less) you are planning to give to it. Besides the type of air conditioner you need, you will have to see how many BTUs (Thermal units) you need, which will also depend on the size of the room you want to refrigerate. In order to calculate the amount of BTUs you need, there are websites that can help you, or you can go to a store and ask for a specialist to help you. They will probably ask you the measures of the room you want to refrigerate.

Other factors that you should have in mind when checking what air conditioner you need to buy are the number of people that live or work in the place where you want to install the air conditioner; the thickness of the walls; the number of windows and doors the room has; the house orientation (to see if it gets too much sun or no sun at all); etc.

Moreover, other things you need to have in mind when buying an air conditioner are the following:

The air conditioner should at least have an adjustable thermostat. Plus, you should be able to move the diffuser grille, and it should have an energetic regulator that stops the fan when the air is not cooling. Moreover, it should have filters which are easy to remove and clean. For those who suffer from allergies, an air conditioner with electrostatic filters could be a good alternative to consider. Likewise, if you are installing the air conditioner in a place with low humidity, you might be interested in buying an air conditioner with a humidifier.

Moving on, once you have bought your air conditioner, it is of great importance that you call a licensed specialist to install it. Even though they can charge you a lot, don't hire some person that says they might do it, and don’t try to do it yourself, on the contrary; If the air conditioner is wrongly installed, it could break.

Now you know. If you want to buy an air conditioner, check some shops, ask a specialist and salesmen, and see which one is the best for your house. Remember not to buy the first cheap air conditioner that you find… first, see if it suits your needs.

How to do the maintenance of the air conditioner

If you think that the air conditioner should be cleaned only on the outside, think again. If you want your air conditioner to work properly and last many years, you must do the corresponding maintenance.

Before doing it, you should check the type of maintenance you need to do, according to the type of air conditioner you have. The types of air conditioner could be split, compact, central air conditioning, window type, fan coil, among others.

Even though, you need to check if there is are special steps to follow for the maintenance of your particular air conditioner, we will now mention a few things that you could do in order to keep you air conditioner running smoothly.

First, you must always clean the filters. It is recommended to clean them every 15 days with water, soap and a brush (you should take the filters out to clean them). This will prevent funguses and mold to grow, since the humidity conditions that are created on the filters are ideal for its formation. Fungus and all sorts of dirt prevent the air conditioner to work as it should.

Moreover, in order to clean the interior of the air conditioner, it is advised that you remove the front cover of the air conditioner, and clean the interior with a dry piece of cloth. If the unit is too dirty, you can use a moist the piece of cloth. Do not use any corrosive cleaning product, chemical or alcohol, since it can ruin the air conditioner.

On the other hand, when cleaning the exterior unit of the air conditioner, you should clean the radiator, in order to remove the dust that gets stuck onto it. If you don’t know how and you are afraid of doing something wrong, you could call a specialist in order he/she can do it and explain you how to do it, so you can learn and do it yourself in the future.

Last, in order to keep your air conditioner in good conditions, remember to fill up the gas, check how the pressure is working, and its electrical consumption. All these things should be checked by a specialist. Remember that if you have any problems, you should call someone who knows about air conditionings; trying to solve it on your own could break the machine.

So, remember to do the proper maintenance of your air conditioner so it works properly, it doesn’t use too much electricity, and lasts longer.

5 key questions to ask before renting an apartment

As we all know, searching for the right apartment to rent can be hard and you need to be looking at all the details, and like it at the same time. For this reason, we are going to give you 5 key questions you need to ask when searching for an apartment to rent.

1- Security and location: Even though insecurity can be anywhere in Buenos Aires, and around the world, there are places which are more dangerous than others. That is why, it is important that you find out about the neighbourhood’s security. To do this, you can ask a neighbour, or someone who has a shop near there. Since we’ve mentioned the word shop, you may also check out the supply of shops you have within the surroundings.

2- Lighting: Whether big or small, an apartment with exterior lighting makes a great difference. An apartment with good lighting will make you save on your electricity bills, besides adding life to the place. Otherwise, you will have to have the light on all day long. So, you should ask and check if there is any building or something that will prevent the sun from entering your apartment.

3- Rent price: Even though the rent price is usually mentioned at the beginning, in Buenos Aires, the rent price usually goes up during the second year. For this reason, you should check in which percentage will the price increase after the first year (or when is it going to increase).

4- Administrative fees: This a key point when you are about to rent an apartment, since there is no use in getting a cheap rent price, if the administrative fees equal that price and double your expenses. Before renting an apartment in Buenos Aires ask how much you will have to pay on administrative fees.

5- Age and maintenance: Last, you shouldn’t forget to ask and find out how old the building is. Old buildings are usually more expensive, since you may spend a lot in maintenance. Nonetheless, you should check who is in charge of paying maintenance fees, since generally that is the owner’s responsibility. Still, you should ask about that, in order you don’t have any surprises.

A last tip that it is always important and for which you need to have found an apartment is that you should always read the whole rent agreement, and to understand it. If you need help, you can always ask a specialist to explain it to you.

5 key questions to ask before buying a house

When you are about to buy a house, there are many things to have in mind. We all know it is not an easy task since, besides finding "the" place, you need to check that everything is in order and in perfect conditions, in order to avoid future headaches. For this reason, we will now mention 5 key questions you need to ask before choosing a house to buy.

First, you should check the whole construction. You need to check and find out about the conditions of the plumbing system; the conditions of the walls; check if there is no damp; etc. A recommendation is that you ask a friend who knows about this (an architect of civil engineer) so he/she can find out about this stuff.

Secondly, before buying a house you need to check its location. Not only do you need to check that it has good access to the rest of the city, but also if it is safe, if you have shops nearby, if it is not too dark (due to lack of lighting), etc.

Third, you need to find about the administrative fees you will have to pay monthly. Apartments in Argentina and in other countries have a monthly fee used to pay the super, the person in charge of the administrative business of the building, to save for future repairs, etc. You should bear in mind that if the building has a swimming pool, a garden, and/or other common areas, you will have to pay more administrative fees each month for maintenance.

An important question for those with a car is if the building offers parking. If so, you will also need to find out if you need to buy it separately, and if there is one available, since sometimes people from outside the building own the spaces. Moreover, if the building does not have parking, you need to find out if you may park on the streets, if you may have trouble finding space, etc.

Lastly, you may want to find out about the building's rule of conduct; for example, which are the rules over loud noises, pets, general repairs of the building, etc.

Anyway, you should make all the questions you can think of, since you will buy the apartment and you need to know all about it before doing so. Moreover, you should ask a specialist, find out opinions from different people, talk to neighbors, and make sure you don't have any doubt before making this big step of buying your new house.

Who is in charge of controlling constructions?

In the City of Buenos Aires, the entity in charge of controlling the constructions is the “Dirección General de Fiscalización y Control de Obras y Catastro” (DGFyCO). This entity is in charge of controlling, supervising, and registering the civil constructions, both the constructions done from zero and the constructions for remodelling (whether public or private) within the City of Buenos Aires.

Through these controls, the entity tries to make the “Codigo de construccion” [construction code] (Argentine law no 257) and other related current and future laws to be obeyed.

Besides controlling constructions, the “Dirección General de Fiscalización y Control de Obras y Catastro” is in charge of controlling the electrical, bathroom, mechanical, and electromechanical installations; the elevators installations; the thermal and inflammable installations, among others.

More specifically¸ the organization in charge of the supervision of the civil constructions is the “Agencia Gubernamental de Control” (through the DGFyCO).

In 2010, there were two major collapses in the downtown area of Buenos Aires and in the neighbourhood of Villa Urquiza. Due to these, the entity in charge of controlling constructions has implemented new rules in order to have a better control. One of these rules is that, from January 2012, every person who is doing a construction must deliver a construction plan before the DGFyCO, including the exact dates in which any demolitions and excavations are going to take place. This way a clearer inspection can be made during these stages of the construction, which are the most dangerous ones.

Another interesting way of controlling is the new system launched by the city’s government. This system gives all neighbours the chance of complaining of those constructions that are not complying with the law, in cases such as lack of protection (wood or metal) sheets, when the sign that mentions that the construction is authorized to be done is missing; if the sidewalk is blocked; or if there is rubble on the streets. Any neighbour who sees one of these things is taking place may take a picture and report it on the Web of the government of the City of Buenos Aires. This was done in order the neighbours can get involved and avoid future collapses.

 

Noisy neighbors: how to handle the problem

There is nothing worse than having a neighbor who enjoys making noise. Even though it is inevitable that the neighbor throws parties, or plays the piano, it is not good when they enjoy doing it every day at any time of the day. For starters, the Argentine Civil Code establishes that the emission of noise must not exceed the “normal tolerance”. It is estimated that the normal tolerance should not exceed the 45dB, although this level will vary according to the area of the city.

Now, the question is, what can I do if my neighbor likes making noise? First, you should try talking to him. If you go directly to his/her house, and explain the situation nicely, you may come to an agreement. You may have to do it more than once, although it is not ideal that you have to do it every day. If the noise continues, you could start telling your noisy neighbor that if he doesn’t stop making noise, you will have to call the police.

If this doesn’t work, you will need to take further actions. The City of Buenos Aires offers a service in which you may report your noisy neighbor in the “Centros de Gestion y Participacion” (Administrative agencies around the city), and a “community mediation” will be done. During this procedure, a notification will be sent to your neighbor and you will meet, together with a mediator, so you can negotiate the times and days where the neighbor can make (bearable) noise.

If you still have problems, you will have to make a judicial intervention. It is not the idea that you need to go this far, but there are some cases when people don’t have other choice. If you are going to sue you neighbor it would be best if you do it together with other neighbors that find the noise annoying.

Still, before filling a suit against your neighbor you should call 911, or the nearest police station and request the radio electric squad to go to your house, in order they can measure the decibels of noise. Moreover, you may also report your neighbor’s noises to the “Justicia Contravencional y de Faltas” [department of contraventions], at 0800-333-47225, or by sending an email at denuncias@jusbaires.gov.ar o in the Web: www.mpf.jusbaires.gov.ar. If you decide to file a complaint over the internet, you should add some type of evidence (a recording or something similar) to show how loud the noises are.

How to make the division of constructed property

Thanks to the creation of the “Ley de Propiedad Horizontal” [Argentina law over horizontal property], the division problems of certain property that does not reach the minimum width has been solved. Although each municipality has different minimums in property width, in those cases where said minimum is not reached, you can make a units (in Spanish, “unidad funcional”), instead of separate properties.

These units (separated in one same property) are owned by an exclusive owner; still, the property usually has some common areas, where all the owners of units work as co-owners. Each horizontal property must have established co-owner’s regulations which set up standard rules over the property. In these rules, the division of the property and its units is described. The divisions are detailed in percentages.

The subdivision of a property in order to turn them into units, in Argentina, is in charge of a surveyor, or an engineer (specialized in measurement). It is very important that the draft of the Horizontal Property coincides with the municipal plan/draft, and this applies both to already built properties and future ones.

In order to understand how horizontal property works, the clearer example is an apartment building. Apartments in buildings are described within the Argentine law of horizontal property. In the case of apartment buildings, the person who buys an apartment has full proprietorship of that unit, and co-owns the common areas of the building (like elevators, halls, swimming pools, and any other amenities that the building has).

To conclude, the subdivision of the units in a horizontal property must be done by a specialist, and divisions must be done according to the corresponding measures established by each municipality. And remember, there must be a co-ownership regulation.

Should I seal the rent agreement?

In Argentina, there is a tax over some seals, which is a tax of local nature, that means that, if applicable, the tax varies in each province, at different values. In the case of the province of Buenos Aires, the tax over seal applies to all cases where the contracts have a compensation (in money or in services); when it is done through a contract (public or private); and it has to be within the province of Buenos Aires.

Nevertheless, some contracts are exempt from paying this tax, as it is the case of those leases that are for living purposes. Still, those sub-lets or lets of furnished apartments destined for tourism are not exempt from the tax.

Those who have to seal the contracts the have celebrated (i.e., pay the tax) will have to register and complete the information needed in Arba’s website [Agency in charge of taxes in the province of Buenos Aires]. In order to do this, you need all the information of the property and the data of the people who will intervene in the contract signing: CUIL, CIT or CUIT (Employees Identification Code in Argentina), full name, domicile, postal code, etc. In Arba's website, you will have to produce an affidavit with the information of the property. Once you upload all the required information, you will be able to print the form R-550P and then, you will be able to pay the tax over the seal in one of the following banks: Banco Provincia, el Banco Nación, Banco Ciudad or Provincia Pagos.

That means that all those that celebrate a contract will have to pay the tax over seals and make the corresponding procedure; still, there are some exemptions and you should see if you apply to one of those. Moreover, if you have any doubts on paying this tax or if you may be exempt from doing it, ask a specialist on the matter or Arba itself, since each case is very particular.

Is it profitable to buy a parking space and rent it?

Nowadays, many people in Buenos Aires ask themselves if it is a good idea to buy a parking space and rent it. This is because many people have some savings but they don't have enough money to buy an apartment or something of the sort. Still, the profitability of having a parking space for rent isn’t 100% defined.

First of all, even though there are new cars on the streets every day, this does not assure you will be able to rent your parking space every month.

In order to clear some aspects, let’s make a comparison between buying a parking space and renting it, and putting your money on a fixed-term deposit with interests. Due to the inflation that the country is going through, the first option could be the best, since, if you have you money frozen and the currency depreciates, you will loose money. Having a parking space for rent allows you to increase the rent price according to the inflation rate, and you may also sell the space if you need the money too. On the contrary, a fixed-term deposit does not adapt to changes, or at least the interest rate is usually lower, so it does not increase accordingly to inflation.

Moreover, many people now choose to buy a parking space before the building is made, and so they can sell it afterwards at a higher price. Of course, they can also rent it, but they will have to find out if they can rent the parking space to people from outside the building.

As we have mentioned previously, many people that have some savings but cannot afford to buy an apartment, choose to buy a parking space. One of the advantages of renting a parking space is that, in case the person that rents the space does not pay, it is easier to move him/her, than if you have the same situation on an apartment. Moreover, the maintenance fees of a parking space are less than the ones of an apartment (but still there are maintenance fees over parking spaces; remember that). On the other hand, a disadvantage of renting a parking space instead of an apartment is that the first is more unstable, and you don’t have the certainty of having the space rented each month.

Last, if you choose to buy a parking space and rent it, try to find a place where there is plenty of traffic and few parking spaces (and make sure they are not planning to construct one in the near future).

To conclude, buying a parking space is not as profitable as buying an apartment, since the profits of its rent (of course) are less. Still, if you want to do it, instead of having to put your money on a fix-term deposit, you may do so, but you need to do it in a place were there will be demanded; otherwise, it will mean loosing money.

Soundproofing your house

We are all used to living surrounded by noise; still, this doesn't mean that it is not disturbing or that we would miss it if it wasn’t there. Unfortunately, we can’t get rid of noise. There is always an argument between the neighbors, someone who plays the piano (or the drums), someone who listens to music, or simply the traffic from outside your window. All this noise is annoying and does not leave us alone.

For this reason, we will mention some ways of soundproofing your house in order you don't have to suffer any more.

For starters, you should bear in mind that furniture and objects absorb noise, so an empty room will mean a louder environment. So, it is recommended you you have some furniture or things that would absorb some of the noise. Moreover, if you put carpets on your floor, you will be having the perfect material for noise absorption.

If these things do not work, nowadays you will find many methods in order to make your house sound-free. In the first place, if you have many windows, you should probably have them with double-glazing which will avoid the excessive noise to enter the room (or at least it will make it softer).

Moreover, some of the soundproofing materials that are used nowadays are fiberglass, cork, soundproof foam, polyurethane foam, wood shaving panels, plasterboards, among others. All these materials can be used in roofs and walls, and most of them are generally installed in the middle of the wall. This way they work as insulators of sound and heat and they don’t break your house’s beauty. If you want to make your already-built house soundproof and you don’t want to break any walls, you may put one of the aforementioned materials over the wall and then add plasterboards in order to cover the other material. These plasterboards are not too difficult to install.

Moreover, if you are about to build you new house and you want it to be soundproof, you may look for insulated panels that are sold everywhere and they serve directly as walls (instead of using wood, bricks, or the usual materials).

So, every day there are more materials that are good for soundproofing your house, and many of them are eco-friendly as well, so you can make your house sound-free and at the same time, take care of the environment.

New ways and materials for construction

Many years ago, the ways of building houses in most Argentine cities were not too varied, since the typical way was to build with bricks. There were also some adobe houses, and similar materials, but those tend to be much older. Now, there are plenty of materials and other ways of building houses that are much simpler to use, and so houses and buildings can be built faster. Likewise, each day there are new eco-friendly materials and ways of construction.

Within the new materials that can be use for construction these days, there are the following:

- Insulted panels: Nowadays, there are many companies that sell panels which protect the constructions against fire, sound, or are thermal insulators. These panels are easy to install and so, it takes less time to build a place. Although these panels are popular in the industrial business, many specialists also choose them to build houses and small shops.

- Houses with steel structures: Many people are choosing to build their houses with steel frames and structures, since they are stronger and cheaper than other materials; plus, they are easy to install.

- Wood and stone: These two elements have always been used for construction. Nonetheless, during the last few years, they have become popular again, especially because they tend to be eco-friendly. Moreover, stones are great natural thermal insulators.

- Ecological concrete: These days, many specialists are trying to make concrete less pollutant. There are some elements and materials that are being changed in order to replace the cement and other materials so they can be safer for the environment.

- Glass: Many houses are being built with a great amount of glass, specially the “green houses”, which are prepared to make the most of the natural light. Plus, there is double-glassing which is perfect to insulate houses against cold and heat.

Every day, new materials appear in the market, and so new ways of construction appear. Definitely, the construction business renovates each day and will continue doing so.

Renting apartments in the Argentine beaches: summer 2013

When spring arrives, people start getting their swimsuits and sunshades ready to go to the beach. In October, many people start looking for a place to stay during their summer holidays at the beach. Once this begins, prices start to go up. Nevertheless, this year, hotel and apartment bookings at the beach have already begun in September.

The reason why people started making early reservations is because it is expected that more people than usual visit the beaches of Buenos Aires. Due to the restrictions to go out of the country and the extra fee for buying with your credit card (in other countries), it is likely that many people who usually go on vacations to foreign destinations, this year, will stay in the country.

On the other hand, when speaking about prices at the beach, during the highest seasons, prices tend to go up a lot in many areas like accommodation, gastronomy, recreational activities, tent rentals, etc. Prices going up have made many people, especially big families, to stay in apartments, instead of hotels. Apartments tend to be cheaper if the family is too big (not only for its space, but for the opportunity to eat there, etc.), and they are usually more comfortable as well.

In relation to prices, according to some specialists, prices will go up around 30%. Even though some areas of the Government have recommended that prices rise only 15%, at this time of the year, some areas and cities by the beach have already exceeded that amount. Moreover, it is expected that prices will continue rising in October, when the struggle between demand and supply begins, especially in the accommodation area.

As a conclusion, it could be said that prices will probably go up within the months to come, and that demand on the beaches of Buenos Aires this summer 2013 will be higher than other years. This being said, it is recommended that you start looking for accommodation if you are really looking forward to go to the beach this summer.

Co-op or condo meetings: Are they mandatory in Argentina?

Co-op or condo meetings are used in Argentina to discuss about issues regarding the correct maintenance of a building. During these meetings, the owners of each unit can talk about their relationships with their neighbors, organize to fix some areas of the building, discuss administrative issues, or anything that needs to be discussed.

Co-op or condo meetings work like companies, and these meetings are like the shareholder’s meetings, and they can be ordinary or extraordinary.

The ordinary meetings are done at least once a year. During these ordinary meetings, property owners discuss the building’s expenses during the year, the annual balance, next year’s budget, etc. That is to say, during the ordinary meetings, the co-op unit owners get together to discuss administrative and accounting issues, once the fiscal year is over. The person in charge of calling the meeting is the administrative agency.
On the other hand, the extraordinary meetings take place whenever the administrator or a number of owners deem it necessary. According to each condo’s rules the minimum of owner needed to call a meeting will vary. During the extraordinary meetings different issues are discussed, like the approval of a budget to do some repairs, or something that could affect all owners.
The co-op or condo meetings, both ordinary and extraordinary, should be called in advance so that all owners can attend. When calling the meeting the issues to be discussed should be pointed out as well. It is recommended that all owners attend the meeting so they can vote and give their opinions on each matter.
To conclude, it is mandatory to have at least one co-op or condo meeting a year, in order to discuss the administrative and accounting matters of the building. The person in charge of the administration of the building should call this meeting, and all owners should attend, since the decisions made there could affect them.

Ordinary vs. extraordinary maintenance fees in Argentine buildings

According to the Argentine property law, most buildings must have a person or agency that administrates the building’s expenses. In order to cover all expenditure, the unit's owners must pay a monthly maintenance fee.

In Argentina, there are two types of maintenance fees: the ordinary and the extraordinary. The ordinary maintenance fees are those monthly expenses necessary for the day-to-day maintenance, for example the administrative expenses, salaries, insurance, repairs in common areas, etc. The ordinary maintenance fees can be: fixed, variable or mixed. If they are fixed, an estimated amount is calculated and a fixed amount is paid monthly. If they are variable, the expenses will be summed each month; and if they are mixed there will be some fixed expenses and others that will vary each month, and they will be summed each month.

On the other hand, there are the extraordinary maintenance fees. These are related to renewing and repairing the building in order to increase its value and make it more comfortable. One of the main differences between the ordinary and the extraordinary maintenance fees is that the ordinary fees do not require the approval of the majority, while the extraordinary generally do. Since the extraordinary fees are necessary to face some urgent repairs, or not so urgent, but are necessary anyway (like painting the building), they generally need the majority’s approval.

There could be the case that some months the maintenance fees include some extraordinary fees in order to have a fund to be used in emergencies. Last, it should be said that the extraordinary maintenance fees should be paid by the owner of the property and not by its tenant.

Tips to have a “flowerful” balcony

There are plenty of people who would rather live in houses than in an apartment, because they enjoy spending the afternoons in the patio or garden and watch the green areas. Nevertheless, nowadays, it is common to see balconies filled with color and green. Those who enjoy having plants in their balcony will enjoy reading some advice on how to keep theirs radiant and filled with life.

In order your plants last in your balcony, you will first have to consider the conditions your balcony has. For example, if you live in a tall apartment, the wind will probably be something to consider. Other things to bear in mind are if there is too much sun, or little, if there are too many dark areas, etc.

Once you have analyzed these points, you may choose what type of plants you will have on your balcony. For example, perennial plants are perfect for people who will not be paying too much attention to their plants, since they don't need too much care, and they are very resistant to extreme (weather) changes. For these type of people, it is also recommended to have aromatic plants, like rosemary, thyme, mint, etc. These types of plants do not require a great maintenance and they give off a delicious smell (and you can use them when you cook).

Those who would like to have flowers in their balcony will also have to bear in mind its climate conditions, and they will probably have to change them every season. Some easy-to-keep plants with flowers are the azaleas, the geraniums, fuchsias, pansies, among others.

Moving forwards, once you have your plants in your balcony, you will have to look after them. For this reason, we will now give you some tips on how to have your plants nice and colorful:

Don’t water the plants too much, since they can drown. Likewise, in winter, don’t water them too often, but you may do so in summer, especially when the temperature is too high. It is always recommended to water the plants when the dirt is dry, in the case of plants, it is always better that you put less than needed, instead of more.

In winter, you will have to protect the most fragile plants, like the geraniums, the petunias, and others. To do so, it is recommended to cover the plants with special veils, or to take them inside your house.

Once the winter has finished, it is suggested to transplant the plants, so they can grow and be stronger and, since you will change the dirt, they will have more nutrients. Likewise, you should fertilize the plants with homemade or bought compost (you can make it with the raw fruits and veggies' skins).

To keep a nice and flowery balcony is not too complicated; of course, you need to choose the right plants and take care of them properly.

Precautionary measures when working with electricity

Working with electricity may be risky if you don’t take the necessary measures to avoid it. Even though some jobs are not too hard to make, everyone should know what they are doing, in order to do it in the safest way possible. For this reason, we will now give you some advice for you to have in mind when working with electricity, so you don't have any complications:

First, before starting, you should cut the power off from the entire house, or at least, the area you are going to be working on. Moreover, you should have the necessary tools in order to work with electricity in a safe manner: pliers, voltage tester, insulating tape, among others.

Another thing you should bear in mind when working with electricity is to insure you have the right clothes. It is always recommended to use tight clothes, especially if you are going to work in areas with machineries. Nonetheless, the most important thing to remember is that you should always wear shoes with rubber soles; you should never work bear-footed, or with your hands and/or feet wet, since it's too dangerous (water is an electricity conductor).

Likewise, it is recommended to work with the right gloves, especially when you work on high voltage areas, and it is also recommended to protect cables with some insulating material.

If you are going to work on an unknown circuit, you should get to know it first, in order you make sure you will be safe.

Moreover, remember that if you have many devices plugged in one place, it could heat and cause trouble. In case you smell like something is burning, or if the area is hot, unplug all devices immediately, and check if there isn't any lose cables, since this could produce sparks or it could be dangerous if you touch it.

These are a few precautions to have when you are working with electricity. If you follow this tips, you shouldn’t have any trouble; nonetheless, work carefully and pay attention.

How to paint your apartment

First, we should warn you that painting an apartment or even a room is not a super easy activity; still, it is not impossible. For those who want to paint their apartments, we will now give you some tips so you know how to do a good job.

First, it is always recommended to buy good quality paint. If it is not of good quality, it may turn out to be expensive, since it will last less, and it may leave stains when you paint.

Second, once you have the paint, you should first cover all the things you don’t want to paint: plugs, switches, furniture, floors, mirrors, windows and doorframes, baseboards, etc. To cover your furniture you can use old sheets or tablecloths. For the rest, you may use newspapers and paper tape. In case of splashing or stains, it is recommended to clean the area immediately with a wet piece of cloth.

Before you start painting, you will have to clean the surface, that is, it should be free of imperfections and damp. If you have any problem of this sort, the recommendation is that you sand down the area. Nevertheless, if there is a crack, you should cover it first.

Once you have solved this issue, you may start painting. Still, before starting, make sure you have all the necessary elements to do so. If you do, stir the paint before you start using it (and every time you start over), and start painting. It is recommended to start painting the ceiling and then, the walls.

Some other tips you should bear in mind are the following: don’t thin the paint with more water than the recommended amount, since this could leave marks and drips, or it may not cover (i.e. paint) as it should; buy all the paint in one time, in order you avoid changes in tone (for this should calculate how much paint you will need in advance).

Even though every piece of advice is useful and you should remember them, bear in mind that painting an apartment or a room can be fun and it will turn up great!

Ceramics suppliers in the City of Buenos Aires

Within the great variety of meanings, ceramics is known as a material used in many places. These days, the most popular use of ceramics is in the construction and decoration business.

Besides being a very antique resource, which has been used among the world's history, it is still considered for new houses and constructions. For this reason, we will now mention some of the ceramics suppliers that you will find in the city of Buenos Aires:

- Azteca Cerámica: Azteca cerámica dedicates to the distribution of ceramics, both national and imported ones. Address: Av. Santa Fe 1780 - 5° Piso Of. 508. Tel. /Fax: (+54 11) 4816-2119.

- Blaisten S.A.: It offers all types of material you may need for constructing and decorating your house. Address: Av. J.B. Alberdi 3928. Tel.: (+54 11) 4636-2000/1485/1489/1491 / Fax: (+5411) 636-1486/775-0296

- Cerámica Loimar: Here you will find rustics flooring, tiles, and bricks for construction. Address: Av. Paseo Colón 275 - Piso 14°. Tel.: (+54 11) 4344-0200 / Fax: (+54 11)4344-0239

- Cerámica Scop S.A.: Scop offers stoneware materials, ceramics, and other options for floors and walls, among other products. Address: Salguero 2835. Tel.: (+54 11) 4804-0330 / Fax: (+54 11)4801-9831

- S.B.G. S.A.: Here, you will find a great variety of ceramics floorings and tiles for your house. Address: Av. Del Libertador 6279 Tel. / Fax: (+54 11) 4782-1661

- Cerámica San Lorenzo: Cerámica San Lorenzo stands out for its products, within which you may find tiles, panels, floorings, among others. Address: Av. De Libertador 6550

- Barugel, Azulay & Cía.: This place offers everything you need to decorate and construct your house, in order you can have what you have always dreamed of. Barugel Azulay has four shops in the City of Buenos Aires. If you need more information, you can visit their website, or call at (011) 4704-1500.

- Foschia: Not only does it offer a great variety of products for the construction and decoration of your house, but it also offers the best service. In the City of Buenos Aires, you may find a store of Foschia at: Av. Juan B. Justo 1423. Tel. 4771.7873. You may also visit one of the branches outside the City of Buenos Aires.

- Cerámica Oven: Oven provides a personalized attention and all the products you can imagine. Oven has one shop in the neighborhood of Villa Devoto. For more information you can visit their website or call at (011) 4505-0011.

There are other ceramics suppliers in the City of Buenos Aires; look which one is the nearest from your house.

Where to buy Durlock for remodeling

Within time, Durlock has become really popular when it comes to remodeling a house, an apartment or an office. Durlock is perfect to separate rooms, lower ceilings, or many other things; all without the need of using bricks or other materials that are more complicated to put and they leave a mess.

Besides installers, there are a great number of places where you can buy Durlock panels in the City of Buenos Aires and its surroundings. We will now mention some of the places where you can buy Durlock:

- Agüero y Corral Const. SRL. Address: Humboldt 2464. Tel.: 4772-0987

- Alfredo Pugliese SRL. Address: Santo Tome 3972. Tel.: 4566-0690

                                        Address: Álvarez Jonte 3600. Tel.: 4648-0798

- Arsec SA. Address: Uspallata 618. Tel.: 4307-1970/4361-1480

- BG Arquitectura SRL. Address: Pichincha 1296. Tel.: 4943-6117

- Calera Congreso. Address: Av. Congreso 3056. Tel.: 4543-5392

- Centro Cerámico. Address: Av. J. B. Alberdi 3836. Tel.: 4674-4432

- Centro de Materiales. Address: Av. Avellaneda 3847

- Centro Sec SRL. Address: Av. Córdoba 5851. Tel.: 4772-7577

                              Address: Av. Monroe 3161. Tel.: 4542-1075

                              Address: Av. Balbín 3647. Tel.: 4547-3620

- Corralón Céntrico. Address: Uruguay 270. Tel.: 4375-1965

- Distribuidora Rialto SA. Address: Herrera 417. Tel.: 4300-9000

- Facam SA. Address: Av. Juan B. Justo 1200. Tel.: 4773-9736

- Ferretería Central SRL. Address: Monroe 3161. Tel.: 4542-1075

- Ferro Calera Materiales SRL. Address: Ramón Icajal 1272. Tel.: 4234-8364

- Insuma SRL. Address: Av. Directorio 5625. Tel.: 4682-5935

- La Casa del Yesero. Address: Bolivia 1978. Tel.: 4582-1589/4583-2837

- Lock Dur SRL. Address: Constituyentes 4671. Tel.: 4522-1111

- Maderas Villa Urquiza SRL. Address: Monroe 5501. Tel.: 4522-4186

- Madergold SA. Address: Olaya 1739. Tel.: 4855-8777

- Mat y Ser SA. Address: Añasco 3087. Tel.: 4583-5152

- Materiales Melián. Address: Av. Melián 3362. Tel.: 4544-7676

- Materiales Pedraza de RC. Address: C. Larralde 2844. Tel.: 4701-5150

- Medrano Const SA. Address: Medrano 540. Tel.: 4866-2191

                                   Address: Medrano 850. Tel.: 4866-2192

                                   Address: Corrientes 5155. Tel.: 4866-2193

                                   Address: Perón 3350. Tel.: 4866-2194

- Pagano Construcciones SRL. Address: Av. Córdoba 5151. Tel.: 4775-1351

- Pinturerías Prestigio. Address: Av. Libertador 850. Tel.: 57777555

- Pinturerías Quinquela. Address: Av. Scalabrini Ortiz 741. Tel.: 4771-2032

- Pinturerías Rex SRL. Address: Av. San Juan 3281. Tel.: 49182225

- Pladur SA. Address: Av. Corrientes 3044. Tel.: 4867-6200

- San Remo. Address: Av. Independencia 1462. Tel.: 4381-8512

- Sistemas Constructivos. Address: Holmberg 1056. Tel.: 4554-6314/6600/6660

- Uniko SRL. Address: Dr. Belaustegui 4993. Tel.: 4672-6869

- Vedovatto Construcciones. Address: Av. Juan B. Justo 5840. Tel.: 4585-1015

                                              Address: Av. San Martín 4496. Tel.: 4504-5215

- Wall Dur. Address: Álvarez Thomas 2565. Tel.: 4554-2815

- Walltec SRL. Address: Castro Barros 1129. Tel.: 4932-5316

Dampness Problems in Apartments

Dampness has always been every house’s worst enemy and it means a big headache for its owners. Whether you live on an apartment or a house, dampness can appear anywhere. For this reason, we will mention the main types of dampness that can appear at home, its causes and possible solutions or ideas to get rid of it.

Firstly, there are three main types of dampness:

- Dampness from foundations or the moisture of the land: This type of dampness appears when the proofing against it hasn’t been done properly during the construction of the house or building. This type of dampness goes from bottom to top and it transmits through the walls’ material.

- Dampness in rooftops: In this case there is dampness in the roofs or the higher areas of walls. This is generally caused by a breakage in the roof lining or tiles. Moreover, dampness can be generated in this area if too much water accumulates due to the obstruction of the gutters or if they have a bad inclination.

- Dampness for pipe breakage: This type of dampness is really common in all apartments and houses. When a pipe breaks, the water starts to filter on the walls, and it can grow really fast, so it should be fixed quickly.

The solution to these problems will depend on the type of dampness you’ve got, its size, etc. Before doing anything, it is recommended you seek for advice from a specialist. One thing you should never do is cover the humidity, in order to make it look as if it has never appeared.

The options to solve dampness today are varied. In the first place, it is always recommended to clean the drain pipes, sewer pipes and the like every year to avoid obstructions. Moreover, it is also recommended to paint the dividing walls and regular walls with waterproof painting (especially in the outdoors). Also, make sure the lower parts of your walls are properly waterproofed; if not, there are some new systems to do it.

If your house suffers from foundation dampness, the solution is quite complex and expensive, so you should definitely ask for a specialist’s opinion and see what he/she thinks is best to do.

 Lastly, now there are some special sheets that allow your wall to breathe so that dampness doesn't accumulate for the case of those walls that have moisture and it is not a problem of yours, but your neighbor’s.

Even though dampness can be complicated to handle, it can be solved, and the sooner you solve it, the better (and cheaper) it will be. Nevertheless, as we have mentioned previously, you should ask for the specialist’s help.